Every team has decisions to make in free agency, but few have as many to make as the Los Angeles Chargers. Jim Harbaugh’s squad has a whopping 26 players entering free agency next week, and that includes six starters on the defensive side of the ball.
The Chargers were able to make the playoffs in Harbaugh’s first season, but this spring could turn into a full-scale rebuild quickly if they can’t retain some of their own free agents. That task appears to be becoming more difficult in the case of one key free agent, and it could create a situation where Los Angeles could get desperate if they can’t strike a deal.
Chargers Free Agent Poona Ford Reportedly Has “Robust” Market Entering Offseason
Chargers free agent Poona Ford reportedly has plenty of suitors as he approaches free agency next week. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper also noted that the 30-year-old’s market is considered “robust” and could cost Los Angeles more than expected if they want to bring him back.
“I have been writing and talking about Ford’s elite play in 2024 for months at this point. And, unsurprisingly, he has a robust market as free agency nears,” Popper wrote.
"The Chargers made a smart bet on Ford, signing him to a cheap one-year deal last offseason. Ford rewarded them by vastly outperforming that contract and putting outstanding play on tape in run defense and as a pass rusher. Now, the Chargers must figure out how competitive they want to be in keeping Ford, an integral piece in the middle of their defensive front. There is a chance they could lose him to other interested teams if they do not come to terms with the reality of his market."Daniel Popper, The Athletic
Ford was signed to a one-year, $1.79 million contract with the Chargers last offseason and gave them tremendous value. The former Seattle Seahawks draft pick ranked fifth among qualifying defensive tackles with an 85.3 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus, and was third among that group with an 80.3 grade in run defense.
Spotrac has a $6.6 million projection for Ford after last season and it seems like that number can fit easily with the Chargers’ $66.4 million this offseason. But Los Angeles also has several other key free agents to take care of including edge rusher Khalil Mack, running back J.K. Dobbins, and cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr. and Kristian Fulton.
Ford’s sudden market isn’t completely unexpected as teams look for help on the interior of the defensive line. But unless he’s willing to take a discount, the Chargers will have to battle harder than expected to keep him in Los Angeles.